On Saturday and Sunday, July 27th and 28th, the summer festival of Wakaichioji Shrine, one of the nation's Important Cultural Properties, will take place. The children's yabusame (mounted archery), a rare sight nationwide, will move hearts with its charming display of courage. A procession of children and the coordinated stage parade pulling will also be held. Please come and enjoy this historic festival.

July 15 (Mon) Gion Shrine Summer Festival⛩️✨ On Monday, July 15, the Gion Shrine in the Kuraoka area held its summer annual festival, affectionately known as “Gion-san.”🎉 The day opened with the Morimaki ritual, followed by a ceremony, kagura performances, the sacred procession, and dance presentations—there was so much to enjoy.😊🎶 Although the weather brought rain at first, true to the spirit of “Gion-san,” a break in the clouds appeared by the time the sacred procession ended.☀️ Despite the rain, people from the neighborhood, across the prefecture and beyond, and even from overseas, came out early in the morning to enjoy the festival.🌍✨ It’s wonderful to see a community festival cherished by locals becoming known to and enjoyed by so many people.😌👏 We hope this tradition will continue to be passed on carefully into the future.

Held again this year! Sunday, August 11 (National Holiday) “Noh Village Ikeda Hazuki Takigoi” Enjoy a rich program that brings together local folk performing arts and Noh and Kyogen performed by a Living National Treasure✨ See them all at once for a memorable experience 😊 Please visit Ikeda Town this summer! Program - Dengaku from Suikai’s dance repertoire Dengaku “Karasu Tobi” and Noh dance “Kureha” - Iwami Kagura from Kado Kagura Troupe “Jinrin” and “Orochi” - O-kura School Kyogen “Kaminari (Thunder)” Performers: Shigeyama Shichigosume, Shigeyama Munenobu, and others - Kongo School Noh “Tamura Nagashogi” Performers: Kongo Eikin, Kongo Ryukin, and others Advance ticket outlets - Pia Tickets web [P code: 527-559] - Ikeda Town (Kotte Kote Ikeda, etc.) - Fukui City (Pario, Bell) - Sakai City (Al Plaza Ami, Heartpia Harue) - Ono City (Vio) - Sabae City (Al Plaza Sabae) - Echizen City (Takefu Rakuichi, Shipi, Imadate Art Museum)

A castle in the sky that suddenly appears This is a place called 😆 Gujo Hachiman Castle in Gujo City, Gifu Prefecture Famous for the collaboration between the sea of clouds and the castle, many people come 🚶 to see it early in the morning Take a look at the sea of clouds, which is not often in front of you 😆

🐋 Prayer for the opening of the sea and the safety of the sea The long-awaited summer has arrived ✨ At two beaches in Mikuni Town, Fukui Prefecture, a sea opening ceremony was held 🌅 to pray for safety Use also conducts water rescue drills to protect the safety of all users, and the Bathing in the sea season is in full swing! 🏖 Mikuni Mr./Ms. Set Beach ・ The shallow and wide beach is Popular with Families! ・ Marine sports are popular 🏄 ・ Held in Mikuni Fireworks Festival on 8/11 Sun! ⁡ Famous as a Spot to watch the sunset. 🏖 Hamachi Beaches ・ It features beautiful sandy beaches and highly transparent seawater! You may be able to observe the fish. ・ In the vicinity, there are plenty of leisure facilities such as Echizen Matsushima Aquarium and Shibamasa World This year is expected 😖 to be hotter than last year You can come to cool off or play to your heart's content! Be sure 🍽️ to stop by the surrounding Sightseeing spots This summer, I'm coming to visit the sea of Mikuni~ ☺️ ࿐·˖✶࿐·˖✶࿐·˖✶࿐·˖✶࿐·˖✶࿐·˖✶࿐·˖✶ In the middle 💘 of the charm of Fukui Prefecture Check out our past posts!

Hiraide Ruins The nationally designated Hiraide Ruins rank among Japan’s major archaeological sites. They lie about 2 kilometers southwest of JR Chuo Line Shiojiri Station on the vineyard-covered Kikyogahara plain. The site stretches in a belt along the Shibukawa stream flowing from Hiraide spring, extending roughly 1 kilometer east to west and 300 meters north to south. Full-scale excavations begun in 1950 revealed that people lived at Hiraide from the Jomon period through the Heian period. Numerous dwelling remains and associated artifacts were unearthed. These rich finds formed a fundamental body of material for studying prehistoric and ancient culture in this region, and the site was designated a National Historic Site in 1952. Subsequent excavations have uncovered more than 290 dwelling and building remains to date. ◇Hiraide Museum The museum displays clay figurines, pottery, stone tools, and iron implements excavated from the Hiraide Ruins, along with artifacts from other local sites. Highlights include prefectural treasures such as the green-glazed water jar, the Shibamiya bronze bell, the Irisawa tile tower, and distinctive Jomon pottery from Shinshu. ◇Historical Park Around the museum lies the Hiraide Kofun Group, three burial mounds thought to belong to powerful local leaders who once governed the Hiraide settlement. You can also see a pit-dwelling reconstruction that was the first of its kind restored anywhere in Japan. ◇Hiraide Archaeological Park Hiraide Archaeological Park reconstructs villages from the Jomon, Kofun, and Heian periods under the theme “Five thousand years of Hiraide.” Fifteen reconstructed dwellings and buildings stand in the park, and visitors can enter some of them. Recreations of Jomon, Yayoi, and Heian period dwellings let you experience changes in structure and building materials firsthand and feel how people’s daily lives evolved over time. ◇Guidance Building The guidance building houses a learning corner, rest area, and observation room, creating a relaxed space for visitors to learn about the Hiraide Ruins. Hands-on programs related to prehistoric and ancient life—such as fire making and magatama (curved bead) making—are offered and remain popular with local children. On the second floor, an observation room offers a panoramic view of the archaeological park. ◇Practical Information <Historical Park and Hiraide Museum> Address: 1011-3 Soga, Shiojiri City, Nagano Prefecture Phone: 0263-52-1022 Hours: 9:00–17:00 (last admission 16:30) Closed: Mondays, the day after national holidays, and during the New Year holidays (December 29–January 3) Parking: Cars 50 spaces / Large buses 10 spaces (free) Admission: Adults 300 yen / Elementary and junior high school students free / Groups of 20 or more 240 yen per person Access: 15-minute walk from JR Shiojiri Station or get off at Hiraide Museum on the Soga community bus line <Archaeological Park and Guidance Building> Address: 388-2 Soga, Shiojiri City, Nagano Prefecture Phone: 0263-52-3301 Hours: 9:00–17:00 Closed: Mondays, the day after national holidays, and during the New Year holidays (December 29–January 3) Parking: Available (free) Reception hours: 9:00–11:00 and 13:00–15:30 Admission: Free (materials fees may apply for some activities) Access: 15-minute walk from JR Shiojiri Station or a 6-minute walk from Hiraide Gate on the Soga community bus line

It's dark outside because of the Ume plum rain, but the gorgeousness of the hydrangeas stands out! This is a temple called Jokoji Temple in Kamisaijo, Shiojiri City, and is also Famous as Camphor Tree Temple.

On June 30, the halfway point of the year, a Kaya no Rinokuguri Shinto ritual was held at the Shirahama Town Shrine to purify the defilements of the past six months and pray for a disease-free life in the second half.

It is the Tanabata Festival of Hofu Tenmangu Shrine in Yamaguchi Prefecture. The entire Tenmangu area is vividly decorated with strips of paper and wreaths, and at night, the "Hikari no Sai Garden" is set up to light up the umbrella artwork, and the corridor is enveloped in a fantastic atmosphere.

Summer 🇯🇵 in Japan

Hello! This is the Fukui Prefecture Tourism Federation. Fukui Prefecture has become one of the most talked-about regions now that the Hokuriku Shinkansen extension has made access from Tokyo much easier. We will share information about Fukui’s sightseeing spots, gourmet food, and more. Please look forward to it! ◆About Fukui Prefecture Fukui Prefecture faces the Sea of Japan in the Chubu region. On March 16, 2024, the Hokuriku Shinkansen was extended between Kanazawa and Tsuruga, reducing the fastest travel time from Tokyo to 2 hours and 51 minutes. About 80 percent of Japan’s dinosaur fossils have been excavated in Fukui Prefecture, earning it the nickname “Dinosaur Kingdom” and making it home to many dinosaur-related facilities. Facing the Sea of Japan, Fukui is one of Japan’s premier fishing grounds, where you can enjoy fresh seafood. Especially Echizen crab, Wakasa fugu (pufferfish), and Echizen Flounder are high-quality specialties you can only taste here. Fukui is also one of the world’s leading eyewear production centers, manufacturing 95 percent of Japan’s frames. ◆Popular sightseeing spots in Fukui Prefecture Fukui is broadly divided into four areas: ◇Awara, Sakai, and Fukui City area ◇Eiheiji and Okuetsu area ◇Wakasaji area ◇Tannan area Below are recommended spots in each area. ◇Awara, Sakai, and Fukui City area ・Tojinbo Tojinbo, a cliff-lined coastline stretching about one kilometer, is often used for dramatic climaxes in suspense dramas. It is recognized as one of the world’s three great scenic wonders, a National Natural Monument, one of Japan’s 100 geological sites, and one of Japan’s 100 best sunsets. In recent years it has become popular as a spot to see the “green flash,” when the sun briefly glows green as it sets into the Sea of Japan. ・Fukui Castle Ruins The castle ruins were built in 1606 by Hideyasu Yuki, the second son of Tokugawa Ieyasu. Stone walls remain, and the site is a popular cherry-blossom viewing spot. ◇Eiheiji and Okuetsu area ・Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum One of the world’s three great dinosaur museums, it displays about 50 dinosaur skeletons along with fossils, specimens, dioramas, and reconstructed models. It is a spot that delights both children and adults. ・Daihonzan Eiheiji A Zen training monastery founded by Zen Master Dogen, it still hosts many practicing monks. ◇Wakasaji area ・Mizushima A small uninhabited island off the tip of the Tsuruga Peninsula, Mizushima is reachable by a daily ferry that operates during the swimming season. Its beauty has earned it the nickname “Hawaii of the Hokuriku region.” ・Mikata Five Lakes The five lakes—Lake Mikata, Lake Suigetsu, Lake Suga, Lake Kugushi, and Lake Hiruga—span Mihama Town and Wakasacho in Fukui Prefecture. They are also called the “five colored lakes” because each has a different shade of blue. ◇Tannan area ・Murasaki Shikibu Park Named for the Heian-period author Murasaki Shikibu, who spent time in Takefu City, the park features a gilded statue of Murasaki Shikibu wearing a twelve-layered kimono. ・Kazurabashi (Vine Bridge) A rare vine suspension bridge measuring 44 meters long. A legend says couples who vow their love on the bridge will find eternal happiness. ◆For touring Fukui Prefecture, we recommend the Happibus To visit popular spots in Fukui Prefecture, we recommend Happibus. Happibus offers scheduled sightseeing bus tours that take you comfortably and safely to attractive attractions scattered across the prefecture. Choose from seasonal specialty routes or courses that let you compare Fukui’s delicacies. Tours operate for solo travelers, and admission fees are included in the price. A guide accompanies the tour so you can fully enjoy your trip in Fukui. For details, please visit the Happibus website. ◆Fukui’s representative festivals ◇Mikuni Festival Held every May, this historic festival dates back to the Edo period. As one of the three major festivals of the Hokuriku region, its procession of float-mounted warrior dolls standing 6.5 meters tall parades through town in a powerful display. ◇Toro Nagashi and Grand Fireworks Festival Held every August in Tsuruga City, this festival fills the sea with colorful floating lanterns against the backdrop of Kehi no Matsubara, while about 8,000 fireworks light up the night sky above the ocean. ◇Tsuruga Festival, Kehi Jingu Shrine Annual Festival Held every September in Tsuruga City, this festival is famous as the “Long Festival of Kehi” because it spans 14 days. ◆Sharing recommended information about Fukui Prefecture We introduced Fukui Prefecture’s seasonal natural beauty, historic sites, delicious food, and traditional culture. Fukui has ranked first overall five times in a row in the “Happiness Ranking of All 47 Prefectures.” We will continue to introduce Fukui’s highlights on Cool Japan Video. Thank you for your support!

[Miyazaki Prefecture Gokasecho Mountaineering and Trekking] Karasudake Karasudake sits at the northern tip of the Kuwanouchi district The summit offers a full 360-degree view where you can take in sweeping scenery Each May, the azalea festival is held

Miyazaki Prefecture Gokasecho Hiking and Trekking: Kabakidake Rising at the heart of the Kuwanouchi district, the mountain is known locally as Shiroyama, or Castle Mountain, because an ancient mountain fortress called Kabakidake Castle once stood there. It is cherished by the local community. With Mt. Masugata to the east as its backdrop, the mountain offers wide views to the west, south and north. Its shape—easy to defend but hard to attack—has made it famous as the representative mountain of Kuwanouchi.

[Miyazaki Prefecture Gokasecho Mountaineering and Trekking] Mt. Masugata Mt. Masugata in the Kuwanochi area The summit offers a full 360-degree panorama, with views of the Aso mountain range, Kuju mountain range, Mt. Sobo, Mt. Unzen Fugen, and the gorge of the Gokase River all visible at a glance. You can also see a sky full of stars at night, but be aware that the trail to the summit is rugged and there are no streetlights.

[Miyazaki Prefecture Gokasecho Mountaineering and Trekking] Gionyama This mountain is said to be the birthplace of Kyushu, first emerging from the sea as the current Kyushu rose from tectonic movement, and fossils dating back 430 million years have been excavated here. During the mountain opening season, you can enjoy flowers such as the fully blooming akebono azaleas. Some sections require using ropes to advance.

Traditional Performing Arts of Gokasecho, Miyazaki Prefecture — Usu-daiko Dance The Usu-daiko dance performed at the autumn grand festival of Gion Shrine was once offered on the lunar calendar date of September 9, so it is also called the "kunchi dance," and it has been passed down for more than 400 years. It is said to have begun when members of the defeated Taira clan, driven from Kyoto and wandering in exile, reached the mountain hamlet of Shiiba on their way to safety and, while remembering the glittering capital, danced in the village of Kuraoka. The dance shows a poised, dignified movement within its grace, evoking the hearts of people from the capital, and it is offered each year at Gion Shrine’s autumn festival. <Legendary Events>-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In the first year of Bunji (1185), near the end of the Genpei conflicts, remnants of the Taira clan who were defeated at the Battle of Dan-no-ura fled into the interior to evade the Genji pursuit. They reached the village of Kuraoka and, on their way to Mt. Shiiba, left the weak, women, and children in the mountains near Kuraoka Hakki because of the steep, treacherous roads. In Genkyu 2, the Kamakura shogunate did not ease its pursuit of the Taira remnants and ordered Nasu Daihachiro Munenaga to hunt down the clan that had fled into the Kyushu Mountains. Receiving the order, Nasu Daihachiro's party entered Kuraoka intending to head for Shiiba, and finding the Taira fugitives in Kuraoka lacking the will to fight, they staged a dance of shared company to comfort them after the long journey, setting aside the victors' arrogance to show compassion for the defeated. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The dance described above became the foundation of the Kuraoka Usu-daiko dance, which, after cycles of prosperity and decline and several relocations over the ages, is said to have survived in its present form. Dancing to the beat of drums and bells, performers display dignified movements within an overall elegance. In recent years, the Gion Shrine Usu-daiko Dance Preservation Society, with the cooperation of children from Gokase Nature School and local parishioners, has carried on the dance. Schedule for the Usu-daiko dance: every year on October 9.

Traditional Performing Arts of Gokasecho, Miyazaki Prefecture: Kuraoka Staff Technique The Kuraoka staff tradition follows the Ōkuruma school, said to be a martial art founded by Marume Kurando (one of the four greats of the Shinkage tradition) from the Higo Sagara domain. Also called Shinkage Ōkuruma Musō-ryū, documents show the earliest mention of Kuraoka in the early Edo period. After that, the art passed through Mamimahara and Omae in Shiiba Village before returning to practitioners in Kuraoka at the local end of the line. Kuraoka staff techniques use two kinds of staff: the long staff, 6 shaku 2 sun (about 188 cm), and the short staff, 3 shaku (about 91 cm). The forms are basically defensive. There are over thirty paired forms, including long staff versus short staff and staff versus sword. Forms that employ the sword are commonly called shiraha (white-blade). The Kuraoka Staff Preservation Society offers a shiraha dedication at the summer grand festival of Gion Shrine and provides instruction to students at Kuraoka Junior High School.

Traditional Performing Arts of Gokasecho, Miyazaki Prefecture: Murono Yoi Kagura The Murono Yoi Kagura at Mikasho Shrine is said to have been handed down during the Meiji era from the Iwato Kagura lineage, specifically the Kuwanouchi Shrine Kagura and the Furudono Shrine Kagura. The sake-straining dance has become a merry performance portraying a farming couple. In the mid-Meiji period, Minosuke Kai, the first head of the Murono district, brought kagura from Furudono to the Konpira-yama festival, central to the Murono and Akatani districts, and passed it down to the present day. The tradition once died out, but it was reformed when kagura was requested for the Tsuhana Tunnel breakthrough ceremony in 1972 (Showa 47). Murono Yoi Kagura schedule: the second Saturday in December

[Miyazaki Prefecture Gokasecho Traditional Performing Arts] Kuraoka Gion Kagura Kuraoka Gion Kagura is a kagura preserved at Kuraoka’s Gion Shrine. Its origins are said to trace back to dances performed in the broad courtyard of the ancient Kogamure Shrine recorded in the Engishiki. In Genryaku 2 / Juei 4 (1185), after the Heike clan’s defeat at the Battle of Dan-no-ura, members of the Heike fled through the Kyushu mountains and reached Kuraoka, then pressed further into the remote mountains toward Shiiba. At that time, court entertainments and sacred music from Kyoto—gigaku, gagaku—and Ise-style kagura that the Heike brought with them blended into the existing local kagura, and over time this fusion developed into a distinctive form. The kagura’s sound is said to have been shaped by a drum made from the trunk of a walnut tree grown in the hidden recesses of Mt. Shiraiwa, stretched with deerhide taken from the remote mountains and bound at both ends with hemp twine; a flute made from bamboo with holes bored in it; and graceful, capital-style rhythms and hand clapping. These elements combined into the unique musical pulse of the Kuraoka kagura. In July 2023, the Kuraoka Gion Kagura Preservation Society revived this ancient kagura drum. Kuraoka Gion Kagura schedule: mid-July (Gion Shrine), early October (Gion Shrine), mid-November (Amanatsu Shrine)

Miyazaki Prefecture Gokasecho Traditional Performing Arts: Kuwanouchi Shrine Kagura Kuwanouchi Kagura is believed to have begun in the early Meiji era. A surviving costume is dated Meiji 3, and the shrine’s relocation to Habu in the same year suggests the kagura started around that time. The masks used are mainly the hannya mask, more frequently employed than in other kagura, and the performance is characterized by a faster tempo. The whole community works together to pass the tradition to future generations, putting great effort into training successors. In spring and autumn, the kagura is offered at the Kuwanouchi Shrine grand festival. In January, a night-long kagura dedication prays for a bountiful harvest and the well-being of residents. Kuwanouchi Shrine Night Kagura Schedule…Every year on the second Saturday of January

[Miyazaki Prefecture Gokasecho Traditional Performing Arts] Furutono Shrine Kagura During the Muromachi period, local jinkagura and Iwato kagura were offered together here for rites, but through several revivals Ise kagura became blended in, producing a slower-tempo (roku-choshi) kagura that continues to the present day. The origin of this kagura is the “Amano-Iwato Opening,” and it was performed to pray for a bountiful harvest and household safety. From Taisho 6 (1917) it also included prayers to calm fires; today it additionally includes traffic safety prayers, and a night kagura festival is held every January. Furutono Shrine night kagura schedule…mid-January

Traditional Performing Art of Gokasecho, Miyazaki Prefecture: Ara-Odori (UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage) The Ara-Odori of Gokase is a style of elegant festival dance that was designated a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property on January 8, 1987 (prefectural designation: May 15, 1962). In February 2021, a group of 41 nationwide “furyu odori” (elegant festival dances), including Gokase’s Ara-Odori, was selected as a candidate for inscription on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list. A nomination dossier was submitted to UNESCO in March of the same year, and the dances were officially inscribed on November 30, 2022. “Furyu odori” embodies the spirit of flamboyance and eye-catching elegance. Performers wear elaborate costumes and carry decorative props as they dance to songs and the sound of flutes, drums, and small gongs. Across Japan, 42 furyu odori entries (covering 25 prefectures and 43 municipalities) are designated National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Properties. In Miyazaki Prefecture, Gokase’s Ara-Odori is the only designated example. These dances carry prayers from local communities for protection from calamities, memorials for the dead, prosperous harvests, and rain. Villagers of all ages take part during festivals and annual events. Each locality’s history and natural environment are reflected in its performance, and the dances serve as a vital source of community energy. The Ara-Odori of Gokase is said to have begun in the Tensho era (1573–1592) when Sakamoto Iga no Kami Masayuki, lord of Sakamoto Castle (upstream of the Mikasho River), started the dance to raise his troops’ morale before going to war. Later, in the Keicho era (1596–1615), his grandson Sakamoto Yamashiro no Kami Nyudo Kyukaku established a ritual code for offering the dance to the guardian deity Futakami Daimyojin (now Mikasho Shrine). At that time, it is said that a successor from the temple called shinbochi oversaw funerary rites, and a monkey kept at the temple was also made to join the dance. One theory holds that the dance originated in Sakamoto, in Ōmi Province (modern Shiga Prefecture). However, the Nisshu Takachiho Kokon Jiran-ki (collected in Volume 4 of the Hyuga Local Historical Materials) records that descendants of Sasaki Rokkaku Takayori from Ōmi fled to Takachiho and served the Mitai clan; their descendants later took the names Saho, Sakamoto, and Masaki. The Sakamoto mentioned here is not the Sakamoto of Sakamoto Castle but the Sakamoto from Mukoyama to Kanegase, a separate lineage with its own origins distinct from the Minamoto, Oogami, or Fujiwara clans. Ara-Odori schedule: every year on the fourth Sunday of September

[Gokasecho, Miyazaki Prefecture Tourist Spot] Myoken Shrine Founded about 1,100 years ago in the 11th year of Jōgan (870) during the reign of Emperor Seiwa, it has been venerated as a water deity. The spring water emerging from a limestone cave layer on Mount Gion and flowing into a corner of Myoken Shrine is called “Four Hundred Million-Year Drop: Myoken Sacred Water.” It has long been known as the sacred nursing water and was selected as one of the 100 Famous Waters of the Heisei era. Autumn festival: early November

Gion’s Great Hinoki in Gokasecho, Miyazaki Prefecture This hinoki was hidden from public view for a long time but came to attention during Gokasecho’s “Search for Local Treasures” in 2000. Its large trunk splits into eight distinctive branches partway up, creating a striking shape. Located inside an old cemetery, it is believed to have been planted as a guardian tree.

Miyazaki Prefecture Gokasecho Sightseeing Spot: Gion Shrine Gion Shrine was founded around the 16th year of Emperor Kinmei’s reign (around 525 AD) when an epidemic swept the Chihogō area in central Kyushu. It was established in Kuraoka, at the heart of the region, as a protector deity prayed to for the removal of disease and misfortune. Locals affectionately call it “Gion-san.” On the shrine grounds stands a zelkova tree said to have been planted by Nasu Daihachiro and Munemasa when they visited in Genkyu 2 (1205). Designated a town natural monument, this giant tree is about 37 meters tall and has an estimated age of roughly 800 years. Deities enshrined: Sobo no Kami / Susanoo no Mikoto, Izanami no Mikoto, Oonamuchi no Mikoto, Kushinadahime no Mikoto, Itsuse no Mikoto, Somin Shorai, Kotan Shorai, Tenman Tenjin, Ashinazuchi no Kami, Tenazuchi no Kami, Inari Daimyojin

The fireworks festival, with a history dating back to 1949, has been loved not only by the people of Suwa but also by fireworks fans from Japan and abroad. Amid the postwar turmoil, citizens sought bright hope and a swift recovery. On August 15, the first Noryo Suwa Lake Fireworks Festival was held at Lake Suwa. Now in its 76th year, the ticket sales deadline for the 2024 76th Suwa Lake Festival On-the-Lake Fireworks is approaching: Sunday, July 7 at 23:59. Have you all applied yet? The application deadline is this weekend! If you haven’t applied, hurry up! To apply for tickets, search for “Suwa Lake fireworks”! This is one of Japan’s premier fireworks festivals, the Suwa Lake Festival On-the-Lake Fireworks!!!!! Since last year, parking can be reserved in advance using Akippa, so you can arrive with ease by car🚗! Enjoy an impressive fireworks show of about an hour and a half🎇 We look forward to seeing you in Suwa🎶

Miyazaki Prefecture Gokasecho Sightseeing Spot: Furuto-no Shrine The founding date is unknown. According to shrine tradition, when the loyal retainer Shibahara Matazaburo Nyudo Shotora of the Yoshino court moved from Shibahara in Osekata Village to Kuwanochi Yokodori, he is said to have brought the three deities of Kumano that had been worshipped in Shibahara to this site. Since ancient times the shrine has been revered as the Shrine of the Fire God. When a parishioner’s house faced fire, mysterious sounds would reportedly arise within the shrine to warn of it, and the parishioners would stay at the shrine to perform rituals to avert the fire. On the grounds stand three giant cedar trees about 580 years old and over 30 meters tall, designated as town natural monuments. A kaya tree likewise designated as a town natural monument is a giant estimated at about 600 years old and 34 meters tall. Spring Festival: Early April Grand Annual Festival: September 23 Night Kagura: Early January Deities enshrined: Izanagi no Mikoto, Izanami no Mikoto, Kagutsuchi no Mikoto, with Fujiwara no Michizane also enshrined.

Miyazaki Prefecture Gokasecho Tourist Spot: Sankasho Shrine Sankasho Shrine was established when a small shrine (hokora) from Mt. Futagami, said to be the site of the descent of the heavenly grandson, was brought down and built at the mountain’s foot. Founded around the late 900s CE, its nagare-zukuri-style structure is entirely made of cypress, and its architectural design and carvings are regarded as masterpieces of the early modern period. This main hall is designated as a tangible cultural property of Miyazaki Prefecture. The site also houses the stone-carved Gate Guardian Deity statues (two faces), which are designated as a prefectural tangible cultural property. At the autumn grand festival, Aradance, an ancient performance tradition from the Sakamoto district designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan, is offered. On November 30, 2022, 41 fūryū-odori (stylish folk dances) across Japan, including Gokase’s Aradance, were inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. On the shrine grounds and in the surrounding garden, you can find Tsukushi rhododendrons and western rhododendrons, along with weeping cherry trees and camellias. They typically reach peak bloom from mid-April through mid-May, offering flower viewing during that period. The Sankasho Shrine Spring Festival is held in April. Deities enshrined: Izanagi no Mikoto, Izanami no Mikoto, Sarutahiko no Mikoto, and Fujiwara no Michizane (enshrined together).

Miyazaki Prefecture Gokasecho Tourist Spot: Saeizan Josenji Sa eizan Josenji is a Jodo Shinshu Honganji temple founded about 400 years ago. Renowned as a cherry-blossom viewing site, its grounds feature a roughly 300-year-old weeping cherry tree, designated a prefectural natural monument, which bursts into spectacular bloom each spring. According to tradition, this weeping cherry was planted during the Edo period by the ninth head priest, who brought a sapling back from Gion in Kyoto on his return from a pilgrimage to Honganji. A variant of the Edo higan cherry sometimes called ito-zakura, it is designated a natural monument of Miyazaki Prefecture.

Wakaichioji Shrine Summer Purification Ritual and Mantō Festival🏮 Today, June 30 and July 1, the Summer Purification Ritual and Mantō Festival took place at Wakaichioji Shrine. The summer purification ritual cleanses the impurities accumulated over the past six months and prays for safety in the coming six months. Lanterns donated by local businesses lit up, creating a magical atmosphere in the shrine grounds at night🏮